The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Persuasive Argument

Within the field of human embryo research lies a controversial science that could redefine prenatal care: genetic engineering. Genetic engineering not only offers the possibility of eliminating birth defects and genetic illness, but also presents the moral ambiguity of eugenics. The acceptabilities of genetic engineering, assuming that it will be available in the foreseeable future, must be explored if society is to fully benefit from it. The most prominent and perhaps the most acceptable reason given for genetic engineering is its potential use in preventative medicine. A few cells from an embryo could be genetically analyzed to detect harmful mutation or predisposition towards disorder, at which point action could be taken either through somatic cell or germ-line gene modification. In 1993, the gene that causes Huntington's Disease was located, and scientists are currently trying to determine its normal function (The Benefits of Genetic Engineering). Assuming researchers succeed in this endeavor, genetic engineering could then be used to eliminate a debilitating and ultimately fatal disease that affects approximately 30000 Americans and that has the potential to affect 150000 more through genetic inheritance (Huntington's Disease). In 1997, a group of scientists successfully diagnosed familial adenomatous polyposis coli, the dominant cancer predisposition syndrome, in three preimplantation embryos. This type of canc er predisposition affects 1 in every 10000 people America, Britain, and Japan, making it a relatively common malady (Ao, 140). Schizophrenia has been shown to run in families; even adopted children of schizophrenic parents are ten times more likely to develop schizophrenia, regardless of whether or not... ...-Stewart, Edward J. Roy, and Christopher D. Wickens, eds. Psychology, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. The Benefits of Genetic Engineering: http://web.syr.edu/~jmschroe/wrt205/screen2.html. Debate: Germ-line Gene Modification: http://zygote.swarthmore.edu/gene7.html. Henig, Robin Marantz. "Tempting." Discover May (1998): 58-64. Resta, Robert G. Genetic Counseling: Coping with the Human Impact of Genetic Disease: http://www.gene.com/ae/AE/AEC/CC/counseling_background.html. Ruben, Robert J., Thomas R. Van De Water, and Karen P. Steel, eds. Genetics of Hearing Impairment. New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1991. Wolfson, Richard. Cloning, Marketing Life, and Playing God (Part II): http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/BiotechNov97.html. Huntington's Disease: http://neuro-www2.mgh.harvard.edu/hdsa/huntingtonsdisease.nclk. The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Persuasive Argument Within the field of human embryo research lies a controversial science that could redefine prenatal care: genetic engineering. Genetic engineering not only offers the possibility of eliminating birth defects and genetic illness, but also presents the moral ambiguity of eugenics. The acceptabilities of genetic engineering, assuming that it will be available in the foreseeable future, must be explored if society is to fully benefit from it. The most prominent and perhaps the most acceptable reason given for genetic engineering is its potential use in preventative medicine. A few cells from an embryo could be genetically analyzed to detect harmful mutation or predisposition towards disorder, at which point action could be taken either through somatic cell or germ-line gene modification. In 1993, the gene that causes Huntington's Disease was located, and scientists are currently trying to determine its normal function (The Benefits of Genetic Engineering). Assuming researchers succeed in this endeavor, genetic engineering could then be used to eliminate a debilitating and ultimately fatal disease that affects approximately 30000 Americans and that has the potential to affect 150000 more through genetic inheritance (Huntington's Disease). In 1997, a group of scientists successfully diagnosed familial adenomatous polyposis coli, the dominant cancer predisposition syndrome, in three preimplantation embryos. This type of canc er predisposition affects 1 in every 10000 people America, Britain, and Japan, making it a relatively common malady (Ao, 140). Schizophrenia has been shown to run in families; even adopted children of schizophrenic parents are ten times more likely to develop schizophrenia, regardless of whether or not... ...-Stewart, Edward J. Roy, and Christopher D. Wickens, eds. Psychology, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. The Benefits of Genetic Engineering: http://web.syr.edu/~jmschroe/wrt205/screen2.html. Debate: Germ-line Gene Modification: http://zygote.swarthmore.edu/gene7.html. Henig, Robin Marantz. "Tempting." Discover May (1998): 58-64. Resta, Robert G. Genetic Counseling: Coping with the Human Impact of Genetic Disease: http://www.gene.com/ae/AE/AEC/CC/counseling_background.html. Ruben, Robert J., Thomas R. Van De Water, and Karen P. Steel, eds. Genetics of Hearing Impairment. New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1991. Wolfson, Richard. Cloning, Marketing Life, and Playing God (Part II): http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/BiotechNov97.html. Huntington's Disease: http://neuro-www2.mgh.harvard.edu/hdsa/huntingtonsdisease.nclk.